Wet Tail

Wet-tail, better known as Proliferative Ileitis, is one of the most common and most serious diseases that can affect your hamster. It is a stress related bacterial disease which is very contagious and can in worst scenario, without veterinary treatment, make the hamster to die within 24-42 hours. Wet tail is most common in syrian hamsters. Dwarves do not get wet tail, but they can suffer from Diarrhea.

Symptoms

Wet-tail symptoms are not easily noticeable for the first few days. It takes up to 7 days for the first symptoms to begin showing. The common symptoms are:

Diarrhea

Lethargy

Not eating/drinking

Excess sleeping

Walking with hunched back

Folded ears

Causes

Wet-tail is caused by the bacteria Lawsonia intracellularis. The disease is spread when the hamster comes into contact with food or water contaminated with the bacteria. There has been much research about the "Wet Tail" illness. The research proved that it is a stress related. Hamster stress can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Small Cage

Change in environment

Change in diet

Unclean Cage

Being away from mother and/or siblings in early age

Illness or death of a pair-bond or mate

Treatment

If you notice that you hamster has Wet Tail symptoms you must isolate it from others and seek for vet care immediately! Although Wet Tail is a lethal hamster disease, taking immediate action may increase your hamster's chances to survive.